AM/NS India, ICAR-IARI sign MoU to study use of Iron Ore Tailings in agriculture

AM/NS India and ICAR-IARI have signed an MoU to study the sustainable use of iron ore tailings in agriculture. The multi-season research will assess crop response, nutrient availability, environmental safety and potential risks while exploring ways to reduce mining by-product storage.

Hyderabad: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) and ICAR– Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake advanced research on the sustainable utilisation of Iron Ore Tailings (IOTs) in agricultural applications.

The MoU focuses on long-term scientific studies to be conducted over multiple seasons to evaluate crop response, nutrient availability, phytotoxicity, leaching characteristics, and overall environmental impact.

---

The research aims to establish scientific evidence that could enable and ensure a safe and beneficial utilisation of the IOTs in agriculture. This will help in reducing the need for long-term storage of this mining by-product.

AM/NS India Technology director and vice president Hiroo Ishibashi said the collaboration with ICAR-IARI represents an effort to unlock the potential of iron ore tailings through science-led research.

“If successful, this initiative can create a win-win outcome by reducing environmental footprints associated with by-product storage while supporting sustainable agriculture and resource conservation,” he said.

Project principal investigator Dr Bhupinder Singh said preliminary studies have shown encouraging indications regarding the potential use of iron ore tailings in agricultural systems.

“Through this long-term collaborative programme with AM/NS India, we aim to generate comprehensive scientific data on agronomic performance, environmental safety and nutrient dynamics,” he added.